My wife and I
belong to a discussion group that is presently discussing the book, “The Knowledge
of the Holy” by A.W Tozer. In the chapter addressing the love of God are a few
sentences that got my attention: “For our souls’ sake we must learn to
understand the scriptures. We must escape the slavery of words and give loyal
adherence to meanings instead. Words should express ideas, not originate them.”
Tozer does a
masterful job of showing how love is associated with God. But what does the
word love mean, and does God show many different faces of affection?
There are primarily
two language groups in the world: Analytic and Synthetic. A compatible word
within the Synthetic group is the word agglutinative, giving attention
to how words morph.
In analytic
languages, sentences are designed by word order; you know what a word is by
where it is placed in a sentence. The languages’ format naturally helps a
person order their thoughts sequentially and aids in building a succeeding
worldview—where the past, present, and future harmoniously formulate reality. Analytic
languages include English, French, Chinese, Arabic.
In agglutinative
languages, sentences are built by word ending; you know what a word is by how
it ends (how it morphs), and words are usually situated in a sentence for
emphasis. The languages’ format naturally helps a person order their thoughts
structurally and aids in designing a systematic worldview—offering a more exact,
precise portrayal of reality. Agglutinative languages include Greek, Hebrew,
Latin, German.
English, as an analytic
language, uses only a single word to communicate the concept of love, which
works well in sequential logic. But Greek, as an agglutinative language, uses four
words to communicate the concept of love, which works best in structural logic.
The Greek language better answers the question about the meaning of love,
giving greater clarity to the love of God.
Three of these
Greek words are found in scripture and the fourth is strongly inferred.
“Philos”
is the love of a friend—a sincere love! It expresses itself by care and loyalty.
A person approaches a friend, speaks of their mistakes, and the friend is not critical;
speaks of their temptations, and the friend is not judgmental; speaks of their
fears, and the friend is not shocked. Their response affirms loyalty. Caring
love overlooks shortcomings and weaknesses.
The classic
example from scripture is the relationship between David and Jonathan. (1
Samuel 20) Even when King Saul warned his son Jonathan that David could
jeopardize him becoming the next king, Jonathan remained loyal to his friend.
He had a sincere love.
“Stergos”
is the love of a parent—stern love! A more current phrase is tough love.
It expresses itself by discipline. The word is not used in scripture but is
strongly inferred when the writer of Hebrews stated, “For what son is there
whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline…then
you are illegitimate children…. For the moment, all discipline seems painful
rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7-11)
When a parent
fails to discipline their child, what they are communicating is, “I don’t love
you.” Without the right disciplines, a person cannot be successful in life. To
not discipline a child implies, “I want you to fail.” And the worst part, if a
child does not experience parental discipline, rooted in love, the only
recourse is to suffer societal discipline, rooted in punishment.
“Eros” is
the love in marriage—sensual love! It expresses itself by passion. It expresses
the love between a husband and wife, an intimately knowledgeable love (a warm, affectionate,
and embracing love). In Greek mythology, Eros was a goddess of sexual love. The
English word erotic comes from this Greek term.
“Agape”
is the love of a servant—serving love! It expresses itself by submission. The
word was selectively applied in the first century; it was not commonly used. Yet
the word fits perfectly with what Jesus came to do. He came to serve as the sacrificial
substitute for sinners, providing the means for a relationship with God.
An interesting
play on words took place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee between the
resurrected Jesus and his disciple Peter (John 21). Three times Jesus questioned
Peter about his affection. In the first two challenges, Jesus said, “Peter, do
you agape me? In other words, do you servantly love me; will you be
submissive to my beckoning call?” Peter responded both times, “Jesus, you know
that I philos you! In other words, you know that I sincerely love you;
you are my friend and I will try my best to be loyal to you!” But on the day of
Pentecost, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter embraced agape,
a fully submissive love, and took a stand for his Lord, declaring him to the
masses.
So, how is the
love of God shown? Is “God is love” just limited to agape? (1 John 4) No!
His love is the perfect response to the need.
You come to God
feeling threatened by a powerful temptation, or am scared about doing his will,
and he responds, “Temptations can seem irresistible” or “I understand your fear.”
And adds: “If by chance you fail, I’ll be loyal to you; I am always faithful,
even when you are faithless. (2 Timothy 2:13) I’m your friend, no matter what.”
He does not chastise you, he stands alongside you.
You come to God
and say, “I didn’t apply myself; I was negligent; I was lazy; I was careless; I
did something really stupid.” And he gives you a stern kick in the pants, and
with tough love replies, “You were acting stupid, child—you can do better. Develop
the right disciplines; get your act together; I want you to succeed.”
You come to God
and say, “I feel wounded; I’m in such pain; I’m so confused; I’m really
hurting.” And he responds, “Let me embrace you; let me hug and tenderly kiss
you; and, if you are willing, let me carry you for a while until you see the
light at the end of the tunnel.”
You come to God
and say, “I have been so selfish, so arrogant, so rebellious, and I’m sorry!
Will you forgive me?” And he answers, “I already have! My sacrifice at Golgotha
was all-inclusive. Move on in life and tap into greater overcoming power!”
God’s faces of
affection are always appropriate and perfect. His response is just what you
need to be victorious in life.
Then how do we apply,
in all our relationships, his comprehensive love?
Jesus gave a
command to his followers: “A new commandment I give to you that you love one
another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this,
all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love one for
another.” (John 13)
When activities
are pleasurable, they do not need to be commanded. Commands are given to tasks
that are often found demanding. So why is love commanded? Because love must be
expressed according to the need of the situation: either sincerely, or sternly,
or sensually, or submissively. Not every face of affection is pleasant to do,
but if you love as God loves, you do it.
Finally, ever since
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the faces of
affection have become transformed in those impregnated and empowered by him: Sincere
love becomes altruistic love. Stern love becomes successful love (from
disciplining to training). Sensual love becomes adoring love. Serving
love becomes self-sacrificing love.
The love of God perfectly addresses every need, and as a recipient of his gracious faces of affection, give to others walking the journey of faith with you the empowered love of his Spirit.
